Sequence of Verb Tenses

Although the various shades of time and sequence are usually conveyed adequately in informal speech and writing, especially by native speakers and writers, they can create havoc in academic writing and they sometimes are troublesome among students for whom English is a second language. This difficulty is especially evident in complex sentences when there is a difference between the time expressed in an independent clause and the time expressed in a dependent clause. Another difficulty arises with the use of infinitives and participles, modals which also convey a sense of time. We hope the tables below will provide the order necessary to help writers sort out tense sequences.

As long as the main clause's verb is in neither the past nor the past perfect tense, the verb of the subordinate clause can be in any tense that conveys meaning accurately. When the main clause verb is in the past or past perfect, however, the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the past or past perfect. The exception to this rule is when the subordinate clause expresses what is commonly known as a general truth:

In the 1950s, English teachers still believed that a background in Latin is essential for an understanding of English.

Columbus somehow knew that the world is round.

Slaveowners widely understood that literacy among oppressed people is a dangerous thing.

The tables below demonstrate the correct relationship of tenses between clauses where time is of the essence (i.e., within sentences used to convey ideas about actions or conditions that take place over time).

Click HERE for a table describing the various tenses of the active voice.

Click HERE for a table describing tense sequences of infinitives and participles.

Tense inIndependentClause

Purpose of Dependent Clause/Tense in Dependent Clause

Example(s)

SimplePresent

To show same-time action, use the present tense

I am eager to go to the concert because I love the Wallflowers.

To show earlier action, use past tense

I know that I made the right choice.

To show a period of time extending from some point in the past to the present, use the present perfect tense.

They believe that they have elected the right candidate.

To show action to come, use the future tense.

The President says that he will veto the bill.

SimplePast

To show another completed past action, use the past tense.

I wanted to go home because I missed my parents.

To show an earlier action, use the past perfect tense.

She knew she had made the right choice.

To state a general truth, use the present tense.

The Deists believed that the universe is like a giant clock.

PresentPerfectorPastPerfect

For any purpose, use the past tense.

She has grown a foot since she turned nine.The crowd had turned nasty before the sheriff returned.

Future

To show action happening at the same time, use the present tense.

I will be so happy if they fix my car today.

To show an earlier action, use the past tense.

You will surely pass this exam if you studied hard.

To show future action earlier than the action of the independent clause, use the present perfect tense.

The college will probably close its doors next summer if enrollments have not increased.

FuturePerfect

For any purpose, use the present tense or present perfect tense.

Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they graduate.
Most students will have taken sixty credits by the time they have graduated.

Note:
Unless logic dictates otherwise, when discussing a work of literature, use the present tense: "Robert Frost describes the action of snow on the birch trees." "This line suggests the burden of the ice." "The use of the present tense in Carver's stories creates a sense of immediacy."